Collar stretcher



Nov. 6, 1956 A. GOLDSTEIN 2,769,585

COLLAR STRETCHER Filed Jan. 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet .1

Fig.

x I J 29 22 1 50 48 45 20 [L24 I; U i a2 44 38 25 2'8 3'4 Abraham Golds/em nvmvroze.

Nov. 6, 1956 A. GOLDSTEIN 2,769,585

COLLAR STRETCHEIR Filed Jan. 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Abraham Ga/dsfein INVENTOR.

United States Patent COLLAR STRETCHER Abraham Goldstein, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application January 4, 1955, Serial No. 479,767

6 Claims (c1. 22.3-52.1

This invention generally relates to a collar stretcher and more specifically provides a device for stretching collars or similar garment portions that are desirable of being enlarged.

Although fabrics generally are treated to render them shrink-proof, this treatment is not always effective and shrinkage sometimes occurs from laundering a garment. Also, the size markings on such garments may be erroneous and it is frequently desirable to enlarge garment portions such as shirt collars regardless of the reason. Tight collars cause considerable discomfort to the wearer as well as being actually harmful to the health since circulation may be retarded by tight collars or the like. Ac-

cordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a collar stretcher for enlarging collars to a desired size without damage to the fabric or material from which the garment is constructed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collar stretcher which may be stressed and retained in a stressed or tensioned position so that the collar stretching operation may be carried out over a relatively long period of time.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a collar stretcher having a device for engaging over the front part of the collar thereby eliminating undue stress on the threads holding the collar button on during the stretching operation.

Other important objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of operation, its adaptation for its specific purpose and its relatively inexpensive manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the collar stretcher of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the details of construction of the collar stretcher of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing the collar stretcher of the present invention in position on a collar with the front portion of the shirt being engaged by the device for eliminating pressure on the collar button;

Figure 4 is a plan view with portions of the collar stretcher being broken away showing the details of construction and relationship of the various elements;

Figure 5 is a vertical, sectional view, taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of Figure 4 showing further structural details of the collar stretcher of the present invention and showing the utility thereof in conjunction with a clothes hanger; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the brake construction for retaining the collar stretcher in tensioned position.

2,769,585 Patented Nov. 6, 1956 Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the collar stretcher of the present invention including a plurality of segmental members 12, 14, and 16, each of which is provided with an upstanding peripheral outer wall 18 which projects above and below a main body portion 20. Secured to and extending along the outer surface of the peripheral walls 18 of the members 12, 14 and 16 is a sponge rubber cushion member 22 for engaging the inner surface of a shirt collar 24. The body portion 20 of each of the segmental members is provided with an inwardly facing slot 26 having an inward projection 28, or lug, therein substantially at the mid-point thereof for a purpose described hereinafter.

Rotatably journaled within the segmental members 12,

14 and 16 is a tubular upstanding member 29 having a plurality of radial handles 30 adjacent the upper end thereof. The lower end of the tubular member 29 is integrally formed with a concentric plate-like member 32 having three cam surfaces 34, 36 and 38 integrally formed thereon for engaging in the slot 26 and contacting the projecting lugs 28 therein. The ends of each of the cam members 34, 36 and 38 are provided with a projecting lug 40 on the outer end thereof for limiting rotational movement of 'the plate 32 in relation to the segmental members 12, 14 and 16.

The adjacent edges of the segmental members 12, 14 and 16 are held in assembled relation by a plurality of pairs of coil'springs 42 with the coil springs being disposed above and below the main body portions 20 of the segmental members 12, 14 and 16. It will be seen that the cam surfaces 34, 36, 38 are narrower in width than the slot 26 thereby permitting limited vertical movement of the plate 32 in relation to the segmental members 12, 14 and 16 for a purpose described hereinafter. It is also noted that the lugs 28 are substantially the same thickness as the cam members 34, 36 and 38 so that the cam members 38 maybe vertically moved in the slots 26 for disengagement from the lugs 28 thereby permitting inward contracting movement of the segmental members 12, 14 and 16. .A peripheral depending flange 44 is provided on the undersurface of the plate 32 and an upstanding flange 46 is provided on the upper surface thereof generally forming guides and limits for the inward movement of the segmental members 12, 14 and 16. Positioned in spaced relation to the plate 32 on the tubular member 29 is a cam 48 for engaging a circular ring 50 having a radially extending arm 52 integrally formed therewith. The ring 50 is provided with an inwardly extending detent 54 and the cam 48 is provided with a recess 56 for engagement with the detent 54 for a purpose described hereinafter. The radial arm 52 extends outwardly over the segmental member 14 and is attached thereto by a screwthreaded member 58 riding in a slot 60 which guides and limits the movement of the arm 52. The outer end of the arm 52 terminates in a downwardly extending portion 64 having rearwardly inclined wing portions 66 together with a slot 68 in the lower edge thereof for positioning over a collar button 70. It will be seen that the wing portions 66 are generally positioned in spaced relation to the apex of the segmental member 14 for receiving the closure portion of a collar 24 therebetween and forming wing presser plates. The matched detent 54 and recess 56 generally orientates the extending rod 52 in relation to the cam 48 so that the wing portions 66 will not be in close engagement with the segmental member 14 when the segmental members 12, 14 and 16 are contracted. It will be seen that the tubular member 29 permits the insertion of the coat hanger hook 72 thereby permitting use of the device with a coat hanger 74.

As illustrated in Figure 6, a friction brake 76 is mounted adjacent one of the lugs 28 and is embedded in 1 the segmentalmember 14 by a spring member 78 wherein the cam 36 passing by the lug 28 will engage the a friction brake 76 so that the plate 32 will be locked in position for expanding the segmental members 12, 14 and '16 until such time as theplate is raised vertically thereby permitting. contraction of thesegmental members 12, 14- and 16..

In operation, the segmental members 12, 14 and 16 are normally positioned in contracted relationv as illus-.

trated'in Figure ,1 with the-springs 42 .resiliently ,urging the segmental members'together. In this positionand with the arm 52 moved outwardly as far as possible, the collar stretcher is inserted within the collar 24 and the wing portions 66 positioned underthe wingtips. of the collar 24 and over the collar button 70-for engaging the closure portion of theJcollar 24. This contracted relation is assured by raising the plate 32 upwardly thereby assuring the cam members 34, 36 and;38 ride above the projecting lugs 28 in the slots 26 so that the segmental members 12, Hand 16: are in their innermost position. Of course, the plate 32 must be rotated so that the smallest portion of the cam members 34, 36

and -38 will pass down over the face of the lugs 28. As

soon as the handles 30'are started to rotate, the recess 56 and detent 54 on thecam 48 and ring member 50,

respectively, are misaligned thereby securely clamping the closure portion of the collar 24. '.As the cam members 34, as and 38 move arcuately, they will engage the lugs 28 and force the-segmental members'lZ, 14and '16 apart generally as indicated in Figure 4. The friction brake'76 engages one .of the cam surfaces and: retains itin its rotated position until such time astlre entire cm plate 32 is raised vertically thereby releasing the cams from the lugs 28, thereby-permitting the collar stretcher 1%)} or the aboveinvention to be utilized over 7 a long period oftime under tension. Due .tothe particnlar curvature of the .cam '48, it will be seen that relative constant pressure is maintained on the wing portions 66 thereby eliminating damage to the arm' 5.2 and assuring that too much pressure will not be exerted upon the collar button '70. f From the foregoing, the-constructionand operation of the device will be readily understood and'further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. .However, since numerous modifications and changes will. readily occur to those skilled in the art,- itis not desired tolimit the invention to the exact construction shown: and described,

and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the" appended claims. 1

What is claimed as new is as follows;

1. A substantially annular expansible and 'contractible V v collar stretcher comprising a plurality of substantially ar cuate segments arranged end-to-end, tension'spring connecting said segments .togetherto move the same in wardlygto contract-said stretcher,- and earns means for Q moving said segmentsoutwardly to expand the stretcher comprising a rotary plate with-intheconfines of said segments, internal slots in said segments in which said plate is rotatable, peripheral cams on said plate rotatable in said slots by saidplate, andimeans in said slots engaged by said cams to cam said segments outwardly in opposition to said springs.

2. The combination of claim 1, said means comprising lugs in said slots. r

3. The combinationof claim 1, and a tubular rotary member fixed on said plate for rotating the same and adapted for insertion therethrough of a coat hanger hook wherebyto position the collar: of a shirt .on said. hanger aroundfsaid segments.

4. The combination of claim 2,. saldsslotsbeing wider Y than the thickness .of .said'cams, andsaid lugs being spaced .from .one side of the slots .so that saidplate is movable laterally. inthe slots to move .thecams clear. I of the lugs whereby to permit said springs .to move, said segments inwardly. to contract said stretcher.

.5. The combination of laim .2 and ..friction brake means on said lugs and in said slots,.-.engaging said cams to retain the same in rotatedposition.

.6. The .combinationof claim 3 and apresser plateioperative to press the wings of a collar against one segment, a presser plate operating member slidably"mounted on 7 said one segment, andcoacting camming devices on said tubular member and operatingmember, respectively, for

sliding saidoperating member upon rotation ofsaid tubular member. a

7 .ReferencesiCitedin the file of this patent UNITED .STATES PATENTS V 7 2,172,857 'Steele "Sept: 12, 1939 2,192,786

Campbell. .Q. Mar. 5, 1940' i 

